How to Prune Wisteria for Spectacular Spring Blooms

When I started at Gardener's Supply in the 1990s, my Vermont backyard was mostly lawn. Today, just a bit of original grass remains. Most space now holds trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and stonework. Watch a slideshow of my Burlington, VT garden.

I also work in the gardening division at Church Hill Landscapes, maintaining dozens of gardens. I believe all gardening is good gardening.

Wisteria floribunda 'Lawrence' in its fifth year in my garden. This Canadian-discovered variety has hardiness ratings of 4 or 5.

When it blooms, wisteria is spectacular—but doesn't always perform on cue. The key is pruning. Lee Reich in The Pruning Book (The Taunton Press) recommends summer and winter pruning of side shoots. In midsummer, prune each side shoot to ~6 inches. This triggers new shoot growth. In late winter, shorten these to two or three buds.

Identify a few primary branches. For an arch or porch edge, pick one vine. Edit redundant vines—it seems harsh, but this vine is vigorous and will push you around if you don't assert yourself. After identifying primary branches, prune side shoots twice yearly: midsummer and winter. Create many short spurs along main vines. Be assertive.

Other wisteria essentials:

• Often needs three seasons before blooming. Be patient.
• Go local: ask what varieties perform best in your area. 'Lawrence' works best in my yard.
• No sunny spot = no wisteria. Vines need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. They'll grow in shade but won't flower.
• Over-fertilization causes leaf growth at bloom expense. Top-dress with compost or composted manure instead.

For detailed wisteria pruning, watch the video featuring Alan Titchmarsh of the BBC.